Celebrate Christmas in a chalet-style hotel in the Swiss Alps
Experience a winter vacation in the Swiss Alps and Austrian Lakes District
Imagine relaxing this Christmas in a charming chalet-style hotel in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by snow-covered peaks. Ride on the Gornergrat funicular to enjoy dramatic views across to the magnificent Matterhorn, discover the Christmas Markets of baroque Salzburg and Innsbruck, explore the stunning Austrian Lakes District and ride on the famous Glacier Express!
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Travel in a first-class air-conditioned touring coach
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A complimentary wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners Welcome drink in Munich 19 meals including buffet breakfast daily (B) and 9 evening meals (D)
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Free use of fitness, spa and wellness centre Free WiFi at most hotels (where available) 10 nights authentic, specially selected hotel accommodation as described Hotel porterage of 1 bag per person (where available)
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ALL tips for your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides Local guides as described in the itinerary Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
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Explore the fabulous Christmas Markets in Salzburg & Innsbruck. ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
Tour itinerary
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Munich
- Day
- 1
Day 1: Munich
Your tour commences this evening in cosmopolitan Munich. Shopping is always excellent in Munich – particularly around the town hall and the decorated wooden Christmas Market stalls - which if you have time prior to the tour commencing, we recommend you visit! Before your Bavarian-style buffet dinner, enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel.
Meals: D
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
Fuschl
- Days
- 2
- 3
Day 2: Mondsee, stunning Hallstatt and Fuschl in The Austrian Lakes district
A leisurely start as we cross into Austria to spend lunchtime in Mondsee on Lake Mondsee, and visit the church made famous in the wedding scene of the film ‘The Sound of Music’. Later we drive deep into the Lakes District and visit Hallstatt. Set on a rocky terrace jutting into the quiet dark water of the lake surrounded by towering peaks, this is considered the oldest inhabited village in Europe and perhaps the most beautiful in Austria. Our home for the next two nights is Fuschl in the Lakes District. This evening join in a torchlit village walk followed by mulled wine.
Meals: B,D
Day 3: The Silent Night Chapel, Salzburg sightseeing, 'My Time' and Christmas Markets
Today includes a full day excursion to Salzburg. Our first stop is at the nearby village of Oberndorf where we visit the famous ‘Silent Night Chapel’ on the site where the Christmas carol was first performed. We then continue onto Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress).
A walking tour with an expert local guide will introduce you to this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music’. As a finalé you will gather amongst the fir trees in the small stone courtyard of the St Peter’s Keller, dating back to the 1500’s and Salzburg’s oldest restaurant, for a hot drink and biscuits. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city. Maybe take time to visit the huge castle which is fascinating, or savour the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets.
Meals: B,D
- Hotel Jakob, Fuschl am See
Appenzell
- Days
- 4
- 5
Day 4: 'My Time' and Christmas Markets in Innsbruck and delightful Appenzell
A leisurely day as we follow the spectacular Inn Valley across the Tyrol to reach the Winter Olympic resort of Innsbruck mid morning. You will have plenty of time to explore the old town with its famous ‘Golden Roof’ and Christmas Markets. After lunchtime we continue past St Anton and through The Arlberg Tunnel into the Appenzell Region of Switzerland. Surrounded by undulating fields, hills and mountains, Appenzell is old fashioned even by Swiss standards being full of well-preserved 16th-century buildings, including some delightfully painted wooden houses. We stay here two nights.
Meals: B,D
Day 5: A horse drawn carriage ride & St Gallen
This morning we drive over the mountains to enjoy a delightful horse drawn carriage ride through the countryside. Lunchtime is at leisure in the beautifully preserved town of St Gallen. A highlight will be an included visit to the 1,000 year old, UNESCO World heritage listed Stiftsbibliothek. This historic, wooden panelled library houses over 160,000 books and manuscripts, some of which date back as far as the 8th century. Your afternoon is at leisure in Appenzell before dinner in your hotel.
Meals: B,D
- Hotel Hecht, Appenzell, Switzerland
Zermatt
- Days
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Day 6: The Glacier Express train to world famous Zermatt
At Chur we board the famous Glacier Express train which takes us along the ‘Valais’ through Switzerland’s finest mountain scenery to the world famous alpine resort of Zermatt, where we stay the next four magical nights over Christmas. Set at an altitude of 1,620 metres (5,310 ft), the village is surrounded by dozens of huge Alpine peaks and dominating all is the mighty Matterhorn. Petrol-driven vehicles are banned from the village and as such the peace and quiet enhances the wooden chalets and small winding village streets. Stunning!
Meals: B,D
Day 7: Zermatt walking tour and 'My Time'
This morning your Tour Manager will escort you on an orientation walk of this fascinating mountain retreat, from its modern chic apartments and hotels to little winding streets still lined with traditional stone and slate hamlets and cottages. The rest of the day is free to relax in the crisp clean air. Perhaps explore the town or go for a walk on the 70 kilometres of winter trails along the valley.
Meals: B
Day 8: Ride the cog railway to the Gornergrat and see the mighty Matterhorn
Christmas Eve! To celebrate, we have included a ride on the Gornergrat cog railway up to the highest open air railway station in Europe – the Gornergrat. At 3,100 metres (10,170 feet) the view from the top across the Alps is beyond belief. We have also included a warming hot drink on the terrace of the Kulmhotel restaurant, surrounded by one of the great vistas of the world – the mighty Matterhorn and the 28 other 4,000 metre high peaks that surround you. Tonight we continue the celebrations with a wonderful four course Christmas Eve dinner in our hotel.
Meals: B,D
Day 9: Christmas Day - 'My Time' in an Alpine paradise
Christmas Day! What a magnificent location to relax and do as much, or as little, as you want! Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a ‘take it easy and relax’ person there are numerous activities you can enjoy, and your Tour Manager will be at hand to assist and advise you. You will be in the heart of the Matterhorn glacier paradise and the whole valley and mountainside is alive with activity. There are numerous cable cars and lifts that can whisk you up the mountains. At virtually all ‘drop off’ points there are restaurants, cafés and observation points – usually with extraordinary panoramic views spanning the jagged Alps.
Perhaps take a cable car up to the Klein Matterhorn. At 3,883 metres, it is the highest cable car station in Europe. From here you can clearly see Europe’s highest mountain Mont Blanc (4,810 metres) which is in France, and the summit of the Gran Paradiso in Italy. Alternatively, catch a lift to Rotenboden and visit the igloo village where you can enjoy a Swiss cheese fondue or a ‘white igloo mulled wine’ in the ice bar. The toboggan ride down to Zermatt also starts from here! A four course Christmas Day dinner is included at your hotel.
Meals: B,D
- Hotel National, Zermatt, Switzerland
Luzern
- Day
- 10
Day 10: Chateau Chillon, Montreux and Luzern
Driving to Montreux on Lake Geneva, we have included entrance and a guided tour through the beautifully preserved Château Chillon. Later we journey on to the lovely lake-side town of Luzern with its covered wooden bridges. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner.
Meals: B,D
Day 11: Luzern
Sadly your Christmas tour comes to a close and it is time to say farewell.
Meals: B
- Hotel Schweizerhof, Luzern
Swiss Christmas in Zermatt
Video Highlights
Hand Selected Experiences
These are just a few of the very special hand selected experiences that will really make your touring experience exceptional and unique, and don’t forget, with Albatross they are always included.
Dates and Prices
* Dates, prices, itineraries and hotels shown may be subject to change on specific departures. Please contact our European Tour Specialists for further details.
Pre-register your interest
To register your early interest in our 2026 festive and new year tours, please complete our pre-registration form. We will keep you informed as our tours are developed and released.
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2025
Your Hotels
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
1 Days
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
1 Days
Hotel Jakob, Fuschl am See
2 Days
Hotel Jakob, Fuschl am See
2 Days
Hotel Hecht, Appenzell, Switzerland
2 Days
Hotel Hecht, Appenzell, Switzerland
2 Days
Hotel National, Zermatt, Switzerland
4 Days
Hotel National, Zermatt, Switzerland
4 Days
Hotel Schweizerhof, Luzern
1 Days
Hotel Schweizerhof, Luzern
1 Days
Tour Suitability
- Our Christmas, New Year and Northern Lights tours travel throughout the European winter months. The weather can get cold, and roads and pathways can be slippery. When outdoors, please take extra care when navigating slippery surfaces.
- We recommend sturdy waterproof shoes with good grip (hiking shoes, rather than sneakers), thick socks, a woollen beanie, thermal underclothes, gloves and sunglasses. Walking poles can be helpful to give you more confidence, if desired. Layering some light clothes is advisable, as you will often come in from the picturesque cold to warm spaces inside, so layering enables you to adjust to each environment for your optimal comfort. You will also be very comfortable when travelling as your modern touring coach is fitted with heaters and double glazed windows. Once you arrive at your hotel you will be greeted with a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
- Thinking about what to wear? Please read our blog on Wardrobe essentials: https://www.albatrosstours.com.au/news-nest-travel-blog/wardrobe-essentials-for-a-winter-wonderland-tour-in-europe/
Please refer to our Tour Suitability section for more information.
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